As soon as the news of the farming reform spread, the farmers in Kanno were in a panic and started talking about it.
Even the little nobles in Kannor couldn't help but discuss these things over and over again at the ball.
Naturally, Rhine would not participate in this kind of dance. It was not that these small nobles did not invite him because of the Holy See. Rhine-Palatinate was the master of Canno. It was not a big deal for nobles of the same class not to associate with him. These small nobles were still there. In the land of Kanno, things need to be done carefully.
The Palatinate didn't like balls, and neither did the Rhine. If he had the time, he would like to read more letters.
But Hillier was not. As Rhine said, he had always yearned for a noble life and worked hard to learn the etiquette of the nobles. One of the ways is to attend the nobles' balls, chat with them, have fun with them, and become their friends, even if it's just for the sake of appearance.
So he had to hold the wine glass and maintain a stiff smile while these nobles were faintly mocking Rhine.
Miss Connie over there looked to be only sixteen or seventeen years old. She was half-covering her red lips with a fan, exposing most of her snow-white chest, and blinking at him casually, full of coquettishness, but her mouth was full of words. Talking to others, he said: "The young lady of the Blaine family is a heretic designated by the Holy See. I think the earl was deceived by that young lady, and now he has acted so irrationally. Think about it, who would decide like this?" Low rent? Even if he owns the entire Canno, how much wealth can he get with such a low rent? And Canno is his territory. What does he want the farmers to do? Those farmers should be obedient. Why give them a choice? It seems Just like they could make smart decisions. Listen to the choices he gave, the farmer who didn't follow his idea of changing the way he farmed was able to work on his land for another year instead of being kicked out immediately. He was a count How can you maintain your dignity? If you were not confused by those weird things, which decent adult would do such a thing?"
Hillier wanted to retort, saying that this is not a strange thing, but that the Count of the Palatinate has a fervent kindness to the people at the bottom, but you monsters who only talk and laugh at banquets do not.
But he just smiled, and his handsome and sunny look made Miss Connie look at him with an even more affectionate expression.
Normally, Hillier would have been willing to have some intimacy with this young lady and make a few pleasant witticisms. But he really wasn't in the mood right now. He just thought he was a blockhead who couldn't understand any hints, and looked away with a smile.
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Miss Connie followed his gaze and thought he was attracted by another chatty young lady. At this time, another noble young master asked: "Connie, what do you think of the reforms proposed by this earl? Can this new farming method really increase production?"
It’s hard to describe the appearance of this young master, but his family has a lot of property. Connie thought that she would take this opportunity to attract Hillier’s attention, and said quickly: “I think the Count of the Palatinate has lost his mind. If there is such a method, The Holy See will definitely promote it. I heard that this count likes poetry the most. Is it possible that the farming method can be derived from those beautiful poems? I am afraid that if farmers really farm according to what the count said, the yield will be scarce. I'm just afraid that the Count of the Palatinate will be censured by the Holy See."
After Connie finished speaking, several people surrounding her laughed. Hillier looked at her, and Connie blinked immediately. Hillier toasted her a glass of wine, drank all the wine in the glass rudely, and said: "The earl is far wiser than you imagine. I hope there will be a day." You will also be able to fill the bellies of your vassal subjects."
When Hillier walked out of the banquet living room, he was hit by the cold wind and the smell of alcohol was gone, and he regretted it a little. Rhine has made it clear that he doesn't care if he is loyal to him at all times, as long as he doesn't delay what needs to be done. In this situation, since there is no need to protect Rhine's reputation, the most cost-effective thing for him to do is to agree with those minor nobles.
Look, he could have been drinking wine in the warm banquet hall, eating food he couldn't usually eat, and flirting with the beautiful noble lady. If you're lucky, you might even be able to spend a lovely night. But now he was drinking soberly in the cold wind, and he might even be scolded by those nobles about his background and etiquette behind his back.
Hillier smiled bitterly, but he felt that the suppressed anger in his chest seemed to be vented a little, and speaking for Rhine made him feel relaxed.
Hillier did not tell Rhine about this episode.
Rhine didn't care about the reaction of the nobles in Kannor, he only cared about the farmers' choices.
Rhine's previous personal inspection efforts were not in vain, as 80% of the farmers chose to change their farming methods. Of course, there is also the reason why they are afraid that they will have no land to farm and have to be displaced. However, due to the one-year grace period granted by the Rhine, there was no turmoil. There are also people who go there to get free rent for the first year. Although the rent set by Rheinland is already low, if they can pay less, they can eat more.
For those who want to change their farming practices, Rhine also offers two options.
The first plan is more conservative and understandable to most farmers, which is the three-field rotation system. A field was divided into three parts. One part was left fallow as before, another part was cultivated in the spring, and the remaining part was cultivated in the autumn. In such a field, two-thirds of the land is cultivated, without the land losing its fertility due to too frequent cultivation.
The second plan still divided the land into two parts, but eliminated the fallow. Half of the land was normally planted with grains, and the other half was planted with turnips and alfalfa, and cattle and sheep were grazed on it. Turnips and alfalfa are the main feeds for livestock. Compared with past free-range farming, the livestock raised in this way are obviously fatter and their fur will be smoother and shinier. Moreover, turnips and alfalfa have different soil nutrient requirements than cereals. When the two plots of land are exchanged for planting crops in the second year, for that plant, the land is equivalent to having been left fallow for a year. More importantly, alfalfa is a nitrogen-fixing plant.
There is no doubt that Rhine himself prefers the second option, and he also explained the rationale clearly. It's a pity that the literacy among farmers is limited, let alone the chemical knowledge. They can't judge based on experience alone.
Most farmers have chosen the more conservative first option. Only a few farmers, out of goodwill and trust in the Earl, decided to try the second option that sounded powerful.
Seeing this result, Hillier was a little puzzled.
"Master Rhine, if you want them to choose to plant alfalfa, why do you propose a three-field rotation system? Once people have more choices, they will not wholeheartedly follow that path."
Rhine said: "I hope they do this, but I hope they make the choice based on their own will. In today's world, they have too few choices. I can't control the people in other people's territories for the time being, but I hope The people in my territory can determine the direction of life by making their own choices. How can a person have dignity if he cannot make his own choices? In the case of letting them choose for themselves, the second option may subvert In light of their long-standing understanding of fallow farming, if there is no first option as an alternative, there may not be so many people willing to try to reform. Since I don’t want to use power, but also hope to achieve the results I want, I can only Use your brain on the options.”
Hillier looked complicated and couldn't help but ask: "Master Rhine, is this why you gave me the chance to make a choice?"
Rhine once clearly told Hillier that he would confront the Holy See one day in the future, and also clearly told Hillier that he could choose to leave at that time. Is this the opportunity he gave him to choose
Rhine was stunned for a moment and smiled: "Hillier, although you may not be happy to say this, in my eyes, you are the same as them."
Hillier knew why he said that he might be unhappy. After all, he had always wanted to get rid of the imprint of the lower class on himself and worked hard to live a noble life. But the hungry, dazed, dirty little boy was always hidden in his heart. Was he really unhappy after hearing what Rhine said
Rhine did not dwell too much on this. It was the sowing season now, and he began to inspect everyone's sowing conditions and farming methods.
In addition to those big plans, Rhine also gave many small farming tips. He did not deliberately promote these tips, but used them as if he urged everyone to change their planting methods. But everyone still naturally tried it. Some farmers used less, and some farmers used more. But because of these new methods and the free rent agreed by the count, everyone seemed to have a look of hope on their faces, which was many times better than when Rhine first came.
Rhine returned to the castle with a smile.
He was exhausted for a while, and after washing, he finally had time to see his two old friends.
This time Gertrude and the Palatinate talked about their views on relationships, and the reason was still because of the romantic Viscount Brain. The governess Viscount Braine hired for Gertrude was indeed somewhat talented. Although Gertrude showed little interest in the subjects she taught, she had to admit her humor. Gertrude had not studied seriously for a few days when she discovered that the teacher was the mistress of Viscount Braine. This incident made Gertrude furious - "Yes, I am disgusted with his disloyalty in marriage and take it for granted. But how could he! How could he insult the teaching profession like this! I don't know him Did I find my own mistress to be my teacher, or did I turn my teacher into a mistress. Both situations made me equally angry."
Gertrude criticized this incident in a thousand words in her letter. This incident seemed to have hit her hard, or it may have brought out the anger that she had suppressed for a long time.
"I don't know if anyone really likes a marriage like this, I mean, it does seem very liberating. A woman doesn't have to be devoted to her husband, and a man doesn't have to be devoted to his wife. Women You can flirt with handsome knights for fun, and men can kiss prostitutes with pretty faces. Everything is so free. But I hate it all. When debauchery and freedom replace loyalty and single-mindedness, the institution of marriage loses its last A little romance has completely become a tool for the two families to communicate and form alliances. Human emotions have become so changeable and worthless."